Neighbors:
The Council begins a busy legislative period here in Rockville. But before we get into that, first a word on the immigration policies of this federal administration. There is a lot of evidence that immigrants – both documented and undocumented – are being denied due process in this country. Due process and fair treatment in the justice system are basic human rights, and respecting them is a crucial part of who we are as a nation. If anyone is denied that basic human right, we are all at risk.
We need everyone’s contribution to get us out of the mess we’re in – I have personally organized “know your rights” meetings with hundreds of participants throughout my district, attended rallies both in Montgomery County and in DC to speak up for our Democracy, and work very closely with our ally organizations and our County’s public safety team to protect every resident of our County regardless of where they were born. Let’s continue to be focused on protecting our residents.
University Boulevard Corridor Master Plan Public Hearing
The Council will begin its consideration of the University Boulevard Corridor Master Plan by holding evening public hearings on September 10 and 16. If you would like to participate, you may sign up to testify in person or virtual, submit written/video/audio testimony, and/or write to me directly at Councilmember.Fani-Gonzalez@montgomerycountymd.gov.
September 10, 2025, 7pm
Montgomery Blair High School
Silver Spring, MD
September 16, 2025, 7pm
Council Office Building
Rockville, MD
These public hearings follow years of public engagement by the Planning Department and many meetings that I have personally had with community members, including a very well attended listening session I hosted at Odessa Shannon Middle School in June. Following that listening session, I sent a letter to my colleagues that articulated my view that the Kemp Mill Shopping Center should be excluded from the boundaries of the plan. I am listening. I will continue listening to all the perspectives as this plan moves through the process at the Council.
Veirs Mill BRT Moving Forward
On July 30th at Wheaton High School, I hosted a community townhall with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to talk through the Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. It was a great conversation, and I want to share a few key takeaways with you.
First, several essential safety upgrades are coming to the Newport Mill intersection as part of the Veirs Mill BRT Project, including:
- A new crosswalk on the south leg of the intersection
- A sidewalk along the south side of Veirs Mill Road
- Brighter LED streetlights to improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians
MCDOT also made it clear that this project is not taking anyone’s home. Their focus is on making the area safer, more accessible for everyone, and moving people efficiently from Wheaton to Rockville. They’re also exploring ways to accelerate these improvements so our community can see results sooner.
I also heard from many of you about the lack of communication around this project, that’s why I put together the townhall in July with MCDOT as guest. The community deserves to be better informed and included in the process. That’s why I’m going to continue working closely with MCDOT to ensure updates are shared more regularly and that neighbors have ample opportunities to provide input moving forward. In the meantime, please visit the project page for Veirs Mill Road BRT.
Legislative Update
Labor Peace Agreements at Hotels with County Involvement
Giving workers the tools needed to organize without fear of getting fired is part of embracing our values and goal of having a strong workforce. That is why I, with Council President Stewart and Councilmember Katz, put forward legislation (Bill 22-25) to require labor peace agreements at hotels with County financial interest.
That legislation had a public hearing in early July, and was discussed and recommended by the joint Government Operations (GO) and Economic Development (ECON) Committee in late July. The full Council is tentatively scheduled to take final action on September 16. Please read more about this effort from this Washington Post article.
Greener Option for Death Care
Back in June, I introduced a zoning text amendment (ZTA 25-09) that would facilitate a more environmental option for death care, called alkaline hydrolysis (also known as aquamation or water cremation). This ZTA had a very positive public hearing in July, and it will be going to PHP Committee on September 15 and then full Council for final action shortly thereafter. WUSA9 and Bethesda Magazine have recently reported on this technology in Maryland.
Mega Gas Station ZTA
Tomorrow, the Council will be voting on ZTA that relaxes standards for mega gas stations, with an eye towards facilitating a mega gas station as part of the Viva White Oak Development. I have been working in partnership with Kensington Heights/Wheaton neighbors and countywide advocacy groups, to preserve the strong standards developed during a previous attempt to site a mega gas station at the Wheaton Mall.
To that end, I am sponsoring an amendment that makes sure the intent of the existing standards carry forward in practice by having the measuring point of the 500 ft buffer begin from where the public health/environmental impacts emanate: the entire area of the mega gas station. This is important because mega gas stations have idling and queuing cars and very frequent tanker trunk deliveries. You would not measure those impacts from the actual pumps, as the new ZTA purports to do.
Community happenings and other odds and ends
Forest Glen Residences Opens
In August I joined local and state officials to officially welcome Montgomery Housing Partnership’s (MHP) amazing new Forest Glen Residences to District 6. I worked on this project from the very beginning: as part of the 2020 Forest Glen/Montgomery Hills sector plan when I was on the Planning Board, approved it as Planning Board Vice Chair, and now as a Councilmember I get to celebrate its completion. The project, only steps away from the Forest Glen Metro Station, replaced 72 outdated affordable units with 189 modern affordable units of various sizes. The County supported the project through a total investment of $30.8 million.
Kemp Mill Pedestrian Bridge and Odessa Shannon Path Connection
I’m excited to share that the new Kemp Mill Bridge connecting an existing walking path between Auth Lane and Kersey Road, and the Odessa Shannon Middle School Path connecting Wheaton Regional Park with the school and Kemp Mill neighborhood are now open for the community. These two projects are ADA accessible, ensuring neighbors and visitors can easily enjoy one of our county’s most beautiful green spaces.
On the bridge, members of the Kemp Mill Civic Association championed the project and added a memorial for our late neighbor Nicki Toys who died in 2023 and strongly advocated for the bridge. Also, another exciting note, this bridge just won the 2025 County Engineers Association of Maryland’s Project of the Year Award!
On the Odessa Shannon path connection, a special thank you goes to the Kemp Mill family who contacted my office requesting a paved path connecting Kemp Mill to Wheaton Regional Park via Odessa Shannon Middle School.
Cracking Down on Illegal Car Racing in Our Neighborhoods
As part of my public safety work, I have been working closely with residents and the police and environmental protection departments to address dangerous car meet ups. For example, on Sunday August 24, officers cleared the Wendy’s and Floor & Decor parking lot by Georgia Ave and Connecticut Ave, an area that we have been focusing on for a while. If you witness car meet up activities, please let me know!
County Seeking New Innovation and Entrepreneurship Operator
Thanks to a strong collaboration between the ECON Committee and County Executive Elrich, the County has begun to launch a state-of-the-art incubator and innovation network program, to help local entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses. We put $2 million into the FY26 budget to build out that network through a third-party operator, and now the County has issued the RFP. Read more here >
When the ECON Committee toured incubators in Frederick and Baltimore and visited the County’s innovation centers last year, we met with entrepreneurs there who spoke of the value they were receiving and the significance that expanded resources – including technical expertise, shared equipment and more networking – would have for them as they grow their businesses. With this new operator, we can build on the solid foundation we already have.
Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center Update
The FY26 Capital Budget included $400,000 for the planned refurbishment of the Bauer Drive Community Recreation Center I have been advocating for with our Aspen Hill community. This first phase of funding will support critical upgrades, including building repairs, HVAC improvements, ADA accessibility enhancements, and both interior and exterior modernization. As a preliminary schedule, the County will begin the facility assessment this fall, followed by a year of design and a year of construction.
Change to RideOn Route 41
If you or your neighbors ride the Route 41 bus, there’s a small change coming up. Starting Sunday, Sept. 7, MCDOT will adjust the schedule to help buses run more on time. Route 41 connects Aspen Hill, Glenmont, and Wheaton, so this update should make the ride smoother for many in our community. Remember that all Ride On, Ride On Extra, Ride On Flex, and Flash buses are still fare-free, helping make public transit easier and more accessible.
Community Concert in Wheaton
Please join me at the Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Downtown Wheaton for live music on October 16, beginning at 5pm. Students from Odessa Shannon Middle School and Kennedy High School will be giving live performances as well as Max Rosado & The 7th Street Band.
Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Roadway Improvements coming to Georgia Ave
I’ve long been advocating for safety improvements to Georgia Ave and to eventually reimagine the whole roadway into an attractive, multimodal boulevard (that’s why I invited the Governor to visit Wheaton in 2023!). I am so happy to report that the first phase of this vision, improvements to Georgia Ave in Montgomery Hills, has officially been funded by the State. Final design and utility relocations are currently underway with actual construction to start in 2028. Thanks to all the dedicated advocates, our state delegation, MCDOT, and the Governor for making this happen. Read more here >
Creative Wheaton is looking for a Part-Time Executive Director and new board members!
Are you passionate about the arts, community engagement, and cultural programming? Creative Wheaton is seeking a part-time Executive Director to help lead this newly formed organization through an exciting period of growth.Learn more about the position.
They are also looking for new board members. Read more here >
Fall Art & Harvest Block Party
On Sunday, September 11 (11am-4pm), join me and the Glenmont Forest Neighbors Civic Association (GFNCA) for a block party to celebrate our serenity community garden/urban farm and a public art project. There will be games, food, exhibits, art and more.
Sincerely,
Natali Fani-González
Councilmember, District 6
Chair, Economic Development Committee